Electrical system.



R. VARLEY.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPUCATION FILED NOV-21,1914. 1,175,668. Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET I.

Iii-M u 41% W R. VARLEY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1914. 1,175,668. Patented M11114, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES R. VARLEY.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1914. 1,175,668. Patented Mar.14,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mli llli R. VARLEY.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION man NOV. 21.1914.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

|N\ IENTOR EJMI/ @R. K-diw y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD vARLEY, or ENeLEwooD, NEW JERSEY.

BElSSUED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Be it known that I, RICHARD VARLEY, a

citizen of the'United States of America, residing at Englewcod, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Electrical Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is an electrical system.

While not limited to a specification of use,

curve of which shows the usual positive and.

negative characteristics. This current is caused to traverse the winding of a mzfgnetic device which is thereby rendered intermittently operatively responsive, at a predetermined current value, to interrupt (or if desired, to close) the primary circuit. In

' an lgnition circuit energized by alternating current, it is desirable to interrupt, or close,

the circuit at or near the peak of the current wave in order to obtain an efficient spark at the plug. I therefore employ a magnetic device responsive to interrupt the primary circuit at or near the. current wave peak. This magnetic device may be connected in circuit with the source ofignition current or may be actuated by a separate source of current having suitably timed or intermittently delivered current values for operatively energizing said device.

Another object is to provide an ignition system in which spark adjustment may obtain through regulation of the current or generator phases; and in which this control may be automatically effected. j

The above and other objects are provided for by the system and apparatus which I shall nowdescribe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, so, that, others skilled in the art may understand and construct the same, it being premised, however, that many changes may be made in the cir- "Patente.t1.l11ar...1.4;..1916.

Application filed November 21, 1914. Serial No. 873.281;

cuit arrangements and constructions shown without-departing from my invention.'

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View of an ignition system embodying my invention; F ig. 2 is an elevational view, partly broken away, of a centrifugally actuated device for adjust'ably advancing or retarding in its magnetic field' the generator armature, in-

dicated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of said centrifugal device, taken on theline 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of a magneto generator, partly broken away and diagrammatically illustrated, and part of the circuits and interrupter device of the arrangement of Fig. 1, showing the magneto having oscillating pole members, and a resistance or rheostat operatively associated with said oscillating member; Fig.

5 is a diagrammatic view of the generative and inductive windings of a high tension magneto generator involved in a system embodying my invention; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a system similar to that disclosed in Fig. 1 but showing a'plurality of transformers and also connections for energizing the transformers from a source of direct current such as an ordinary battery in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a modified system, similar to that disclosed in Fig. 6, but showing the transformers provided with. choke coils commonly controlled by interrupter mechanism, as hereinafter more fully set forth; and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the interrupter mechanism indicated in Fig. 8.

In Fig.1 the numeral-2 indicates a spark coil or transformer corresponding to that disclosed in Letters Patent 1,108,385, granted to me July 14th, 1914, in that there is employed a core 3 which isenergized by means of windings 4 and '5 arranged to be connected to a suitable source of current, such as a magneto generator, the armature 6 of "which is illustratively sufficient for the purpose of this description. A secondary wind ing or coil 7, inductively related to the transformer core, or the coils 1 and 5, is grounded the usual manner. Connected in shunt to or v -or an accummulator; Fig. 7 is a diagramacross the terminals of the generator winding 6 is an electromagnet 12 in attractive juxtaposition to which is a blade armature 13 carrying a contact 14: forming part of interrupter mechanism 13 for controlling the circuitof transformer winding 5, the fixed contact of said interrupter being indicated by the numeral 15, while connected across the contacts may be the usual condenser 16.

The magneto armature 6 is driven by the engine (not shown) by means of a shaft 17 so as to energize the coils or windings 4 and 5 of the transformer. Both windings are grounded, as at 18, to bring them in circuit with the generator ground 19. Therefore, energizing of the windings by the generator induces a magnetic flux in the transformer core, which seeks the normal magnetic path provided by the core. The turns of winding of these coils are unidirectionally wound or so. connected with the source that the lines of force set up respectively by those two coils tend to meet one another in opposition at an intermediate point in the core, causing them to take an abnormal path or be di-, verted into a leakage path across the air gap or space intermediate the sides of the transformer. The result is the building up of magnetic energy in the core preparatory to interruption or opening of the circuit of the coil 5, restoration to normal path of,

travel of the body of flux in the core, maintained by the active source through winding 4, and induction of a highpotential current in the secondary windings 7 for the production of a spark at the respective plug connected through the distributer arm 8, all as clearly set forth in Patent No. 1,112,177, granted to me September 29, 191 1.

For reasons well understood, it is desirable that the circuit of the coil 5 be interrupted at a point when the alternating current traversing it and the coil 4 is at or near its maximum period or peak of flow. This is brought about by the interrupter mechanism shown, in which the armature 13 is responsively attracted by the'magnetic core 13 energized by the winding 12'. The

arrangement is such that the interrupter armature 13 is only attracted at or near the .peak of the wave. Thereforethe contacts 14 and 15 will be suddenly separated at a point of high current value, with resultant opening of the circuit of the transformer winding 5, violent change of flux in the transformer core and induction of a spark producing current, as stated.

To permit of maintenance of the moment of'i'gnition, it follows that the period of separation of the interrupter contacts must {be advanced or retarded, relatively to the engine crank shaft (not shown). With the gs.g""jai'mature 13 responsive to a magnetic pull produced by a predetermined current value disk 23 and head 29 to or period of flow or peak of the tension wave of the current, it also follows that said peak must be advanced or retarded to vary the time of attraction of the interrupter armature. This may be brought about by adjustably shifting the magnetic poles of the generator armature, either by rotatively shifting the armature of the generator in the magnetic field, or by shifting the magnetic field relatively to the'rotatin'g armature. This latter may obtain in the employment of a generator in which the field structure may be rocked to vary the field or in which there is employed an intermediate shell or casing encircling and arranged to be oscillated about the armature. I may also employ a variable resistance connected in circuit with the interrupter winding for the purpose of variably lagging the current phases and thereby varying the time of operation of the interrupter to obtain spark adjustment. This latter feature may be combined with an adjustable armature or an oscillating field piece, whereby said resistance and adjustable member may operate in combination to obtain flexible control of the interrupter.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 provides means for effecting the above objects. The

magneto generator armature 6'is drivenv by the shaft 17 through the medium of a=centrifugally actuable 1 variable coupling 22.

This coupling is more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and comprises a plurality of disks 23 and 24 formed in the opposing faces of each of which are a plurality of arcuate grooves 25, the grooves in one disk extending in the opposite direction to and intersecting those in the other disk. Lodged in the grooves, between the disks, are ball weights 26 that, by reason of their engagement with the grooves in each disk, determine the point of intersection of the grooves. As a result, when the shaft 17 drives the coupling 22 at a high speed incident to developed propulsion of the engine, the ball members 26 will be centrifugally radially extended or thrown outwardly, thus varying the point of intersection of the grooves, and rotating the disk 24E relatively'to the disk 23, in the direction of rotation ofthe shaft or armature. The disk 24, by reason of the interlocking ,clutchmembers 27 and 28, is connected to the armature 6, while the disk 23 is fixed to a head 29 that is driven by the shaft 17; a suitable fiber disk or pad .30, such as felt, being interposed between the prevent vibratory chatteringof the balls. It. thus will be seen that as the speed of the engine builds up, the armature 6 and coupling 22 will be driven at a corr spondingly advanced speed with the resul' that through centrifugal action ,of the coupling 22 the armature 6 will be advaneed relatively to its driving member 17,

' under high peripheralvelocity of the armature, in direction of armature rotation, so that the current taken from the magneto is delayed in phase, I preferably so determine the characteristics of the ball grooves of the coupling 22 as to cause that member to properly respond as the speed develops, for shifting of the armature to a compensative position in its magnetic field so as to preserve a current peak capable of producing an effective spark. However, it will be apparent that the magnetic field of the generator may shift-to a position compensative movement of the armature to overcome which would extend over an angular degree greater than the range within which spark adjustment is desirable or possible. Thenecessity then is of'a diiferentialadjustment of the armature 'or generator phases and the time of interruption of the ignition circuit, so that should there obtain a disproportionate range of adjustment between the adjustable generator member and interrupter, substantialfoincident will nevertheless obtain between the current peak and desired time of interruptionofthe transformer circuit. This may be effected by employing. a variable/resistance or rheostat 31 (see Fig. 1)' loyjmeans of which I am able to lag the current behind the impressed voltage of the armature. Thus, if the armature is, by meansof-the centrifugal member. 22, advanced say 15 degrees' and it is desired that the spark be advanc'ed at the same time to a position equal to 12 degrees of angular adjustment, by manipulating the rheostat 3l the current will encounter suflicient resistance or impedance productive of a three degree lag. The employment of thevariable resistance in connection with a generator having an adjustable field provides a flexibility in control not obtainable, of course, singly with' either element. However, I do not desire to limit my invention to a system employing said element. Where it is desired to use such a. resistance, it may be so associated with the generator adjusting member that movement of one will actuate the other. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 4: wherein the magneto generator 6 is shown as having oscillating pole members'32 disposed between the poles 33 and the armature 6. Rocking of the pole pieces 32 relatively to the poles and the armature, in lieu of advancing the armature, as described above,

to effect shiftable adjustment of the magnetic field of the generator, the rheostat arm 36 will cut in and out the resistance coils, as

is well understood.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the magneto generator has been of a type adapted to supply. current to an extraneous transformer or spark coil.

In Fig. 5 I have shown my invention as embodied in the regularj type of high tension magneto generator, in so far as concerns the inductive relationship of the primary and secondary windings. The armature 6 is'preferably driven by means of the centrifugal adjusting member 22, described above, to obtain spark adjustment. The usual secondary winding 38 is shown as carried by the armature which also contains the primary winding 6., controlling which, instead of the usual interrupter mechanism positively driven from the armature 6, is the current responsive interrupter 13 the armature 13 of which is attracted by the core 13 for separation of the contacts 14 and. 15, for opening of the circuit, when the curwinding 12 approaches or reaches its maxi- -nn1m value; interruption of the circuitpf the winding 6 otherwise completed through grounds l9 and 19 resulting in induction of a high potential current in the secondary winding 38 which connects with the usual spark plug distributor. Adjustable control of this armature 6 by the centrifugal cou- .pling 22, or control of its inductive phases,

as by'means of an adjustable field piece, for advancing or retarding the wave peak, .resultantly advances or retards the time of separation of the interrupter contacts, all as hereinbefore fully set forth.

In Fig. 6 I show a system corresponding functionally with that disclosed in Fig. v1 with the exception that a plurality of transformer units are employed and means provided for energizing the transformers from a source of direct or continuous current such. as a battery 39. Parts and circuits heretofore described, in this view bear like reference numerals and a repetition of description thereof is therefore unnecessary. The

arrangement is such that the current responsive interrupter 13 is ccnnected-in ac-' tive circuit with the transformer windings 4 and 5 during utilization of the battery or &

continuous current. WVhen the transformer windings are energized from the source of alternating current the current responsive interrupter interrupts the circuit of one of the windings at or near the maximum peak or period of flow of the current wave, as above described in connection with Fig. 1. A double arm switch 40 is employed to alternately connect the windings with the source of alternating current and the battery 39. A duplex roller timer 41 which, by means of the fact that it employs eight circumferentially disposed contact segments 42in alinement with one another, is, for a one end of the interrupter winding 12. The

opposite end of said winding leads to fixed contact 15 and to contact buttcn 46 of the switch. When the switch is shifted to bring arm 45 in contact with switch button 47, the interrupter winding 12 is connected to the generator winding G j Movement of the roller timer arms to a set of transformer segments 42 will complete the generator circuit through respective transformer windings 4 and 5. That is, current flow from the generator will be through switch arm 45 and vibrator winding, thence inparalled through switch arm 48 and the'interrupter mechanism and transformer windings 4 and 5 to roller timer ground 44, back to the generator.

through ground 19.

When the double arm switch is shifted to bring arm 45 into circuit with battery 39, and arm 48 in contact with switch button 49, connections are made for energizing the transformers from a source of direct or continuous current, as the battery'39, when the generator is not delivering an effective alternating current or when it is desired to. run on battery ignition. With the switch 'arms occupying the position for such battery connection, the interrupter mechanism 13 is brought into circuit with both windings 4 and 5 of the respective transformer, and when the roller timer contacts or arms 43 connect with the segments 42 of said par ticular transformer, the battery current sets up a magnetic flux in the core 6 of the transformer, which flux is trembled or intermittently disturbed by the action of the current responsive interrupter which in such connection acts as a vibrator, thusinducing a, high potential current in the secondary Winding or coils 7 .and 7', for energizing of the spark plugs; the battery being grounded,

as at 44, in circuit with ground 11 of the roller contact arms 43. It thus will be seen that the current responsive interrupter acts as a vibrator for the circuits of both coils 4 and 5, interinductively associated with which are the secondary coils.

WVhere the system of Fig. 6 is employed in connection with a source of alternating current, the gage or size of the turns of the windings 4 and 5 of the transformer would be preferably such as to prevent no impeditive resistance thereby to flow therethrough of the alternating current. The result is that such windings would not present a desired resistance to the 'direct or continuous current of the battery. For that reason I may insert a resistance 44 in the circuit of the'battery at a point between it and the double arm switch, to overcome any dissipating action on the battery, incident to said capacity efi'ect of the transformer windlngs.

Instead of employinga double arm roller timer having eight alining circumferentially disposedsegments, I may use a roller timer in which are arranged two banks of four segments each. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 7 wherein the segments 42 are diagrammatically extended for clearness. These segments are arranged in pairs, one segment of which is above the other and each segment connected with a winding 4 or 5 of a transformer. The movable contact arm 43 of the roller timer, is arranged to bridge, in its rotatory travel the pair of segments'. This arm may therefore be driven by the usual one-half speed timer shaft.

The systemdescribed in connection with.

Fig. 6 shows a transformer in which the windings 4 and-5 are both energizing windings. It will be apparentthat my invention may find embodiment in a system in which one of these windings may act simply as a choke coil, not being adapted for connection with the source of energy. In that respect the invention may follow the disclosure of my Patent No. 1,081,413, granted to me December 16th, 1913. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig- 8 wherein the systems employs a plurality of transformers the circuit of the primary windings 5' of each of which is normally closed by interrupter mechanism 13, through ground connections 50 and 51. The remaining parts of the system accord functionally with that of the disclosure of Fig. 6 in that the active windings 4 of the transformers may be intermittently brought into circuit with the generator winding by means of a four segment roller timer 41 grounded, as at 44 in circuit with the generator ground 19, and the electromagnet 12 is connected across the generative winding of the magneto armature 6 which is capable of adjustment for obtaining spark advance and retard, as described. -Ofcourse it will be understood that I may employ a generator of the type disclosed in Fig. 4, and may also connect a rheostat in the circuit of the electromagnet, as set forth in connection with Fig. 1.

The interrupter mechanism 13 comprises a plurality of armature blades 13 insulated from one another and commonly associated With and insulated from the core 13* of the electromagnet. When the roller timer arm 43 connects with a segment 42 the winding f the respective transformer will be brought in energizing circuit through grounds 44 and 19 with the generator, setting up a flux which, in seeking the normal magnetic path of the core, isrestrained from traversing the core leg carrying the choke coil 5', by reason of the normal circuit closure of said choke coil, so that the flux is caused totaken a. leakage path at an intermediate point in the core, as set forth and as clearly disclosed in said Letters Patent- 1,081,413. When the current traversing the winding of the electromagnet approaches or .assumes the peak of the wave, the armature blades 13 will he suddenly attracted, causing separation or opening of the interrupter contacts 14: and 15 and resultant interruption of the circuit of thechoke coil 5.

Opening of the choke coil causes a restoraare insulated from one another so as to prevent short circuiting of .one choke coil through another choke coil. Any suitable form of construction may bee'mployed, but the arrangement shown is an advantageous one because it permits of employment of a single electromagnet; the armature blades 13 being "arranged so that their terminals lie in attractive juxtaposition to the core, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, while the fixed contacts 15 are carried by a common support grounded, as at 51.

The broad idea of employing a transformer system in which the magnetic flux is built up to a supernormal state, is not claimed herein as the same forms subiect matter of my above mentioned Letters Patent 1,081,413.

The feature of connecting both primary .vvindings of the transformer to a. source of energy and interrupting either one or both of the circuits thereof, is'not claimed herein as the same forms subject matter of my above mentioned Letters Patent 1,103.385,

and also; the feature of controlling both primary circuits by means of a current responsive interrupter or vibrator, forms subject matter of my above mentioned Letters .Patent 1,112,177,

6 and 8 of the accompanying drawings,

, forms subject matter ofmy application Serial No. 24,252, filed April 27, 1915, and is therefore not claimed herein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electrical system of the character described, an alternating current generator, a circuit energized thereby and including interrupter contacts, a magnet for actuating said contacts, energized by the generator and operatively responsive to the maximum periods of flow of the alternating current, a winding inductively related to'said circuit, and sparking means in circuit with said winding.

2. In an electrical system of the character described, an alternating current generator having a generative winding, a circuit energized thereby and including in-- terrupter contacts, an electro-magnet for actuating the contacts, connected in shunt across said winding of the generator, ahigh 95 tension winding inductively related to said circuit, and sparking means in circuit with said high tension winding.

3. In ,an electrical system of the character described, an alternating current gen- 100 erator, a transformer having a primary winding in a generator circuit including interrupter contacts, an electro-magnet for actuating said contacts, energized by the J 7 generator and operatively responsive to the maximum periods'of flow of the alternating current, and a sparking device energized by said transformer. I

4. In an'electrical system of the character described, a generator, a circuit energized thereby and including interrupter contacts, an electrd-magnet for actuating said contacts and having winding traversed by current of intermittent high tension values, a winding inductively related to said circuit, and means for varying the time of assumption of saidhigh tension values of the current traversing-the magnet winding, for varying the time of operation of said interrupter means.

5. A circuit traversed by alternating current, a current responsive interrupter for said circuit, and a resistance in series with said circuit and in circuit with said interrupter. v i

6. An alternatingcurrent generator adjustable for regulation of the generator phases, transforming means adapted to be energized thereby including a circuit, a current responsive controller for said cir- 130 cuit, adapted to operatively respond at or near the peak of the current Wave, and a resistance in circuit With the generator and controller. 7. An

alternating current generator,

transformer means adapted to be energized sponsive controller for said circuit, and a resistance in circuit with the generator, transformer and the controller.

9. An alternating current generator, adjustable for regulation of the generator phases, transforming means adapted to be energized thereby, including a circuit, a

current responsive controller for said circuit, adapted to operativelv respond at or near the peak of the current Wave. and a variable resistance in circuit with the .generator and controller.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set I my hand.

RICHARD VARLEY.

'Witnesses:

WILLE'IT CHADWICK, E. I. CRoswELL. 

